Michelle Obama gave an emotional tribute to Rob and Michele Reiner on Jimmy Kimmel Live. She revealed that she and Barack Obama planned to see the couple on Sunday night—but then heard the tragic news.
“We’ve known them for many, many years and were supposed to be seeing them that night—last night,” she told Kimmel on Monday. “And we got the news.”
Police found Rob and Michele Reiner dead in their Brentwood home on Sunday afternoon around 3:40 p.m. Investigators believe someone stabbed them to death. On Monday, authorities arrested their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, on suspicion of murder and denied him bail.
The deaths stunned Hollywood. Rob Reiner directed beloved films like The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally…. Michele worked as a photographer and producer. People admired both for their warmth and activism.
Yet former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social with a baseless claim. He said Reiner died from “Trump Derangement Syndrome”—a term he invented with no medical or factual basis.
His post triggered swift backlash from across the political spectrum.
Michelle Obama responded firmly. “Let me just say this: unlike some people, Rob and Michele Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you ever wanna know,” she said. “They are not deranged or crazed. They have always been passionate people.”
She added, “In a time when courage is rare, they stood up for what they believed in. They cared about their family, this country and also cared about fairness and equity. That is the truth—I do know them.”
Earlier in the show, Kimmel also condemned Trump’s remarks. “It’s so hateful and vile,” he said. “When I first saw it, I thought it was fake. My wife showed it to me this morning. I said, ‘Even for him, that seemed like too much.’ But nothing is ever too much for him.”
The Obamas and Reiners shared strong personal and political bonds. Both families championed justice, equity, and public service.
Now, as investigators pursue the case, the Reiners’ legacy endures. They lived with principle, spoke with honesty, and acted with compassion.
For Michelle Obama, honoring them was both a personal duty and a public reminder: decency still matters.
READ: Nick Reiner Jailed in Parents’ Murder Case in Los Angeles
